Effects of influent municipal wastewater microbial community and antibiotic resistance gene profiles on anaerobic membrane bioreactor effluent

Abstract Municipal wastewater management is an important target area for reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance, especially given parallel increasing need water reuse. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have potential to play a key role in safely expanding non-potable reuse practices. In present study, effect commencing treatment municipal by AnMBR was evaluated after extended startup phase using only synthetic wastewater. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) associated with sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and β-lactams were quantified, effluent microbial community progression analyzed. Results indicated that inherently harbored all targeted ARGs prior introduction real (104–109 copies/100 mL effluent). sul1, sul2, intI1 notably higher initially than other markedly increased system transitioned Although potentially pathogenic bacteria made up over 20% relative abundance influent, effluents showed marginalization these groups as their communities more closely resembled tightly bound layer biofilms. This work highlights emerging systems be on basis incorporates differentiation system-associated assesses environmental transmission within communities.